Comparison of single pin versus multiple pin fixation in treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis

From January 1982 to December 1987, 114 hips of 80 patients underwent pinning for treatment of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Three groups were differentiated based on the number of pins used. The average length of follow-up was 2 years 5 months. The mean time to physeal closure was 5.43 months in the single pin group, 5.54 months in the two pin group, and 6.44 months in the three or more pin group. These differences were not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant decrease in the rate of pin-related complications and reoperations in the single pin group as compared with the two pin and multiple pin groups. We conclude that central single pin fixation for treatment of SCFE dependably results in physeal closure while minimizing pin-related complications.